Nasal inhaler.



No, 665,084. Patented Ian. I, I901.

m. a. GARDNER.

NASAL INHALER.

(Application filed Dec. 7, 1899.)

(No Medal.)

JfamimZZ jjardnez 3 M; fh/iza mew UNITED STATES FFIQE.

FATENT MARSHALL B. GARDNER, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO I. W; PRIOHARD, OF SAME PLACE.

NASAL INHALER- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 665,084, dated assa 1, 1901.

Application filed December 7, 1899. Serial No. 739,480. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARSHALL B. GARD- NER, of Aurora, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nasal Inhalers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear,and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in nasal inhalers of that class adapted to contain medicament and to be inserted entirely within the nose and to be self-retained therein for the period of timedesirable to apply said medicaments. Heretofore pocket -inhalers have been devised adapted for occasional use by holding the same with the hand in position to inhale therefrom; but these have not been adapted for use for any considerable continuous period.

My invention is especially designed to permit the application of an inhalant thereby for the entire night or day. For this purpose the device is so constructed as to be concealed within the nose when in operative position, thereby enabling the person using the same to pursue his usual avooations Without attracting the attention of those with whom he comes in contact.

In the drawings, Figure l is a View of a device embodying my invention, showing the same inserted in the nose and in operative position. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the inhaler illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a modified form of my invention. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same, partly broken away. Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of my invention, showing the same as provided with vertical corrugations afiordingbetwe'en the same air-passages. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan View of the same. Fig. 9 is an illustration of a modification of the manner of attaching the spring.

As shown in said drawings, A A illustrate two conical receptacles secured together by means of a web a and forming one of the sides of my improved instrument. As illustrated in Figs. 4:, 5, and 6 the said instrument is composed of two symmetrical sides, each consisting of a plurality of such medicine-receptacles adapted to be inserted with the smaller end uppermost in the nostril. The larger ends of each pair of receptacles are united together by means of a short curved spring B, which serves to cause the receptacles to lightly clasp the cartilage septum in the nose and be thereby retained in position. The said spring is of such form and length that when the medicator is in position in the nostrils the same and the connecting-spring will be entirely concealed from view with the exception of a very small portion of the latter, which rests against the lower end of the septum.

The receptacles A A, as illustrated in the figures, may be constructed of sheet metal, hard rubber, or other suitable material, and provided with perforations through the sides thereof. The lower ends of the receptacles are open and provided with an inwardly-extendinguptnrned flange. Ordinarilythe medicament-will be applied to a fibrous material such as cotton, wool, or the like-inserted in said receptacles,in which event the said flange serves to hold the same in position. Of the two receptacles illustrated as together forming one side of the device illustrated in the said Figs. 4:, 5, and 6 the receptacle A is smaller than the receptacle A and is designed to be turned outwardly or into the narrower part of the nasal aperture.

It is an essential part of my invention that air-passages be maintained between the sides of the nostrils and the inhaler, and for that purpose the web a, uniting the receptacle A with the receptacle A, is made relativelythin and of sufficient width to leave an unobstructed passage for the air on either side thereof sufficient to normally supply the lungs with all the air required. For the purpose of still further increasing the air-space said web is shown as cut away in the center, providing a longitudinal slot which decreases the weight of the device while appreciably increasing the air-space.

Obviously the air-passages heretofore described may be provided in several ways.

Figs. 8 and 9 indicate a convenient means for providing such air-passages. In the said figures the receptacles A are shown as provided with a plurality of vertical corrugations a a in the outer walls thereof. When the medicator is in use, each of said corrugations forms with the sides of the nostrils an entirely distinct and separate passage for the air. The perforations through said receptacle are provided along the entire extent of said corrugations, so that the inhaled air becomes thoroughly mixed in said passages with the vapor from said medicines, as before described. Obviously the cross-sectional size and shape of the receptacle should to some extent depend upon the size and shape of the nasal passages in which the same is to be contained.

The inhaler illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 and which may be considered a preferred construction consists of two receptacles connected by aspring, as before described. The receptacles are similar to those heretofore described,except that the same are made shorter and the outer walls A are not perforated. The lower ends of the said walls are turned inwardly and upwardly, and a perforated cylindric shell a is inserted centrally in each receptacle through an aperture in the top of the same. It will be observed that the airpassage in this construction is central of the receptacle through said perforated shell a The medicated material is inserted in said receptacle and when the said shell is in position surrounds the same, so that air inhaled through said passages carries with it the vapor of the medicine, as before described. The spring, as shown in all the figures except Fig. 9, is indicated as rigidly secured at each end to the wall of a receptacle or to the web connecting the receptacles, whereby the smaller or upper ends of the said receptacles are drawn inwardly against the septum of the nose. It is, however, unnecessary to attach said spring ends rigidly, inasmuch as the spring may be secured to the said receptacle by inserting the end of said spring 13 through a suitable aperture in the Web a and turning the said end down, forming a hook I), as illustrated in Fig. 9, in which event there is a slight swiveling action of the said receptacles upon the spring, leaving the top thereof free to adapt itself to the nasal cavity, while the apparatus will be held in place by a slight pressure upon the larger or base end of said receptacles by the nostrils and by the bases of said receptacles being held slightly against the septum or cartilage of the nose by means of the action of said spring. The said medicator is particularly designed for continuous treatment of the nasal passages and incidentally of all the air-passages of the throat and lungs.

The operation is as follows: The receptacles, properly charged, are inserted in the nostrils. The same does not interfere in any way with respiration and if inserted upon retiring may be retained in place for the entire night. Each inhalation of air is thor-' oughly mixed during inhalation with the Va por of the medicine contained in the inhaler, and the medicated air is thus carried throughout the respiratory organs. The only part of said apparatus that is visible being a small portion of the said spring, which is in close contact with the septum or cartilage of the nose on the under side thereof and practically unnoticeable, the person receiving the treatment may retain the same in position while attending to his usual avocations during the day Without attracting notice or attention.

I claim as my invention-- 1. A nasal medicator comprising a casing shaped to be inserted into and concealed within the nostril, said casing being provided with an unobstructed passage between which and the wall of the casing is formed a chamber surrounding the passage adapted to receive a medicament, the wall surrounding the central passage being perforated.

2. A nasal medicator comprising a casing shaped to be inserted into and concealed within the nostril, said casing being provided with an unobstructed passage between which and the wall of the casing is formed a chamber surrounding the passage adapted to receive a medicament, the wall of the casing and the wall surrounding the passage being perforated.

3. A nasal medicator comprising a perforated receptacle adapted to be inserted and concealed in each nostril,said receptacles having at their lower ends inwardly-extending upturned flanges acting to hold the medicament in position in said receptacles and a spring connecting said receptacles.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 21st day of November, A. D. 1899.

MARSHALL B. GARDNER.

Witnesses:

O. CLARENCE PooLn, C. W. I-IILLs. 

